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The AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

Outline History h^ Mary St. Clair Slackburn 

with 

A Compendium of 

PARLIAMENTARY LAW 

by 

Harley V. Speelman 



Washington. D. C. 
1914 



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Copyright, 1914, by 
Mary St. Clair Blackburn 



aPR 25 1 9 14 

©CU 3 6 98 3 -J 



To the Daughters and Sons of the American 
Revolution, whose faithful devotion to patriotic 
duty marks them as worthy descendants of noble 
ancestors, this volume is gratefully dedicated. 



INTRODUCTION 

There seems to be need for a book of ready reference 
touching upon the battles and other attending import- 
ant events of our Country's struggle for independence. 
Hence, this "Outline History of The American Revo- 
lution," which, it is believed, will prove of value to 
all readers and students, and especially to members 
of societies organized to inculcate the teaching of 
patriotism, with the heroism of our forefathers as a 
foundation principle. 

Likewise it is thought that the "Compendium of 
Parliamentary Law," covering questions of general 
practice and usage in deliberative bodies, and which 
is herein contained, will be helpful to both officers and 
members of such societies. 

The history is arranged both in alphabetical 
index and as to the chronology of events, the one 
referring to the other. 

The Authors. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX 



Note — For further description see chronological 
arrangement. 



Andre, Major John, Capture of, September 21, 1780; 

hanged, October 2, 1780. 
Arnold, Benedict, Intrigue of, September 21, 1780. 
Augusta, Capture of, Janurary 29, 1779. 

B 

Bennington, Battle of, August 16, 1777. 
Blackstock's Ford, Battle of, November 20, 1780. 
Boston, Siege of. May 25, 1775. 
Boston, Evacuation of by British, March 17, 1776. 
Boston, entry of by Americans, March 20, 1776. 
Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770. 
Boston Tea Party, December 16, 1773. 
Boundbrook, Battle of, June 26, 1777. 
Brandywine, Battle of, September 11, 1777. 
Briar Creek, Battle of, March 3, 1779. 
Broad River, Battle of, November 12, 1780. 
Bunker Hill, Battle of, June 17, 1775. 



8 ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

o 

Camden (N. J.), Battle of, August 16, 1780. 

Camden (S. C), Battle of, April 25, 1781; Evacuation 

of, May 10, 1781. 
Catawba Ford, Battle of, August 18, 1780. 
Charleston, Surrender of. May 12, 1780; Evacuation 

of, December 14, 1782. 
Colonial Congress, Meeting of First, October 7, 1765; 
Meeting of Second, Sept. — , 1774; 
Meeting of Third, May 10, 1775. 
Concord, Battle of, April 19, 1775. 
Cowpens, Battle of, January 17, 1781. 
Crown Point, Capture of. May 10, 1775. 

D 

Danbury, Burning of, April 25, 1777. 
Delaware River, Crossing of, December 8, 1776. 



Eutaw Springs, Battle of, September 8, 1781. 

P 

Falmouth, Burning of, October 18, 1775. 

Fort Clinton, Capture of, October 6, 1777. 

Fort Cornwallis (Augusta, S. C), Surrender of, June 

5, 1781. 
Fort Cumberland, Attack on, November 20, 1776. 
Fort Edward, Capture of, July 30, 1777. 
Fort Granby, Surrender of. May 15, 1781. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX 



Fort Griswold, Battle of, September 6, 1781. 
Fort Lee, Evacuation of, November 18, 1776. 
Fort Mercer, Attack on, October 22, 1777. 

Abandonment of, November 20, 1777. 
Fort Mifflin, Abandonment of, November 16, 1777. 
Fort Montgomery, Capture of, October 6, 1777. 
Fort Motte, Evacuation of. May 12, 1781. 
Fort Moultrie, Battle of, June 28, 1776. 
Fort Washington, Capture of, November 16, 1776. 

G 

Germantown, Battle of, October 4, 1777. 
Great Bridge, Battle of, December 9, 1775. 
Guilford Court House, Battle of, March 15, 1781. 

H 

Hanging Rock, Battle of, August 6, 1780. 
Harlem Heights, Battle of, September 16, 1776. 
Hubbardton, Battle of, July 7, 1777. 

I 
Independence, Declaration of, Committee appointed 
for, June 11, 1776; Report made, July 1, 1776; 
Adoption of, July 4, 1776; Acknowledgment of, 
by France, February 6, 1778. 
J 
James Island, Battle of, August, 1782. 

K 

Kettle Creek, Battle of, February 14, 1779. 



10 ALPHABETICAL INDEX 

L 

LaFayette, Arrival of, in America, April, 1777. 

Commissioned major-general, July, 1777. 
Lee, Richard Henry, Resolution introduced by, June 

11, 1776; Adoption of, July 2, 1776. 
Lexington, Battle of, April 19, 1775. 
Long Island, Battle of, August 27, 1776. 

M 
McCowan's Ford, Battle of, February 1, 1781. 
Moore's Creek Bridge, Battle of, February 27, 1776. 
Monmouth, Battle of, June 28, 1778. 
Musgrove's Mills, Battle of, August 18, 1780. 

N 
Newtown, Battle of, August 29, 1779. 
New York City, Possession of taken by British, Sep- 
tember 15, 1776. 
Evacuation of, November 25, 1783. 
Ninety-Six, Battle of. May 22, 1781. 
Norfolk, Burning of, January 1, 1776. 
North, Lord, Resignation of ministry, March 20, 1782. 

O 

Onondagas, Battle of, April 19, 1779. 
Orangeburgh, Surrender of. May 11, 1781. 
Oriskany, Battle of, August 6, 1777. 

P 
Paoli, Massacre of, September 20, 1777. 
Paulus Hook, Battle of, August 19, 1779. 



ALPHABETICAL INDEX 11 

Peace, preliminary articles of, signed November 30, 

1782; final treaty, September 3, 1783. 
Petersburg, Battle of, April 25, 1781. 
Philadelphia, Possession of taken by British, September 
26, 1777. 
Evacuation of, June 18, 1778. 
Port Royal Island, Battle of, February 2, 1779. 
Princeton, Battle of, January 3, 1777. 

Q 

Quaker Hill, Battle of, August 29, 1778. 
Quebec, Attack on, December 31, 1775. 

R 

Ridgefield, Battle of, April 25, 1777. 
Rocky Mount, Battle of, July 30, 1780. 

S 
Sag Harbor, Capture of, May 23, 1777. 
Saratoga, Surrender of, October 17, 1777. 
Savannah, Battle of, December 29, 1778. 

Assault on, October 9, 1779. 
Serapis, Capture of, September 23, 1779. 
Springfield, Battle of, June 23, 1780. 
Stamp Act, passed, March, 1765; repealed, March 18, 

1766; another act passed, June 29, 1767. 
Stillwater, First battle of, September 19, 1777. 

Second battle of, October 7, 1777. 
Stony Ferry, Battle of, June 20, 1779. 
Stony Point, Capture of, July 16, 1779. 



12 ALPHABETICAL INDEX 



Tappan, Massacre of, September 28, 1778. 
Ticonderoga, Capture of by Americans, May 10, 1775. 

Capture of by British, July 5, 1777. 
Trenton, Battle of, December 26, 1776. 

V 

Valley Forge, Winter quarters opened at, December 11, 

1777. 
Von Steuben, Arrival of. Autumn, 1777. 

W 

Washington, George, confirmed as Commander-in-Chief, 

June 15, 1775; adieu to officers, December 4, 1783; 
surrender of commission and Farewell Address, 
December 23, 1783; reached Mount Vernon, 
December 24, 1783; elected President of Con- 
stitutional Convention, May 25, 1787; inaugurated 
as first President, April 30, 1789. 

Waxhaws, Battle of, May 29, 1780. 

White Plains, Battle of, October 28, 1776. 

WiUiamson's Plantation, Battle of, July 12, 1780. 

Wyoming, Massacre of, July 5, 1778. 

Y 

Yorktown, Surrender of, October 19, 1781. 



THE CAUSE OF THE AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION 

Taxation without representation is given 
as the prime cause of the American Revolution. 
Certain it is that the passage of the infamous 
Stamp Act was a potent factor in causing the 
Colonies to strike for independence. It was 
early in March, 1765, that the celebrated Stamp 
Act was passed by the English Parliament. 
The vote in the House of Commons stood 245 
to 49, while in the House of Lords there was 
not a dissenting voice. At the time of the pas- 
sage of the Act, King George was in a fit of in- 
sanity and therefore was not competent to sign 
the bill. The royal approval was given by a 
board of commissioners acting for the King. 

Briefly, the provisions of the Stamp Act 
were as follows: 

Every note, bond, deed, mortgage, lease, 
license, and legal document of whatsoever sort, 
required in the Colonies, must, after the first 
day of the succeeding November, be executed 
on paper bearing an English stamp. This stamped 
paper was to be furnished by the English Govern- 



14 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

ment; and for each sheet the Colonists must 
pay a sum varying from three pence to six pounds 
sterhng, according to the nature of the document. 
Colonial newspapers, pamphlets and almanacs 
were required to be printed on paper of the same 
sort, in this case the value of the stamps rang- 
ing from a half-penny to four pence; each adver- 
tisement was taxed two shiUings. No contract 
would be binding unless written on paper bear- 
ing the royal stamp. 

The Stamp Act was to become effective 
November 1st, 1776, but everywhere the Colonists 
openly denounced and resisted it. 

In Philadelphia and Boston muffled bells 
rang a funeral knell. In New York a copy of 
the Act was carried through the streets with a 
death's head nailed to it, and a placard bearing 
the inscription: ^'The folly of England and the 
ruin of America. '' The Virginia House of Bur- 
gesses, fired by the eloquence of Patrick Henry, 
passed resolutions condemning it. Similar reso- 
lutions were adopted by the assemblies of Massa- 
chusettes and New York. At Boston, James 
Otis strongly advocated the calling of an Ameri- 
can Congress. His plea prevailed and in con- 
sequence the first Colonial Congress met at 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 15 

New York, October 7th, 1765, with twenty-eight 
delegates representing nine Colonies. Timothy 
Ruggles, of Massachusetts, was elected President 
of the Congress. After a thorough discussion, 
a Declaration of Rights was adopted, declaring 
in unmistakable terms that the American Col- 
onists, as Englishmen, could not and would not 
consent to be taxed except by action of their 
own duly chosen representatives. 

The merchants of Boston, New York and 
Philadelphia entered into a compact to buy no 
more English goods until the Stamp Act was 
repealed. A patriotic society known as The 
Sons of Liberty was organized, giving strength 
to the fight for right and justice. 

In the meantime all was not smooth sail- 
ing for King George, even at home. The Colonists 
had their friends in Parliament, William Pitt 
being their most powerful advocate. Following 
an address by this great statesman, the Stamp 
Act was formally repealed, March 18th, 1766, 
by a vote of 275 to 167. 

A new British Cabinet was formed under 
the leadership of Pitt. Unfortunately he was 
taken sick and during his illness a new scheme 
for taxing the Colonists was proposed. As a 



16 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

result an act was passed on June 29th, 1767, 
imposing a duty on all the glass, paper, painters^ 
colors and tea which should thereafter be im- 
ported by the Colonies. Again the spirit of 
American freedom burst forth, and another agree- 
ment was entered into by American merchants 
not to purchase English taxed goods. In the 
early part of 1768 the Assembly of Massachusetts 
adopted resolutions calling upon the other Col- 
onies to co-operate in the effort to obtain redress 
of grievances. In February, 1769, Parliament 
passed an Act declaring the people of Massa- 
chusetts to be rebels, and the Governor was 
ordered to arrest those deemed guilty and send 
them to England for trial. The reply to this 
outrage was the adoption of defiant resolutions 
by the Massachusetts Assembly, similar action 
being taken by the Assemblies of Virginia and 
North CaroHna. 

Early in 1770 the King's soldiers cut down a 
liberty pole in a New York park, for which act 
they were put to rout by the indignant patriots. 

March 5th, 1770, the soldiers fired into a 
crowd of people in the streets of Boston, kilHng 
three and wounding several others. This coward- 
ly act is known in history as ''The Boston Mas- 
sacre.'' 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 17 

Parliament passed an Act repealing duties on 
all American imports except that on tea. The 
Colonists pledged themselves to use no more 
tea until the duty was unconditionally repealed. 
A consignment of tea was sent to Boston, but the 
cargo was not permitted to be unloaded. Decem- 
ber 16th, 1773, a mass meeting, attended by 
seven thousand people was held in the ''Town 
Hall" in Boston. That night fifty men disguised 
as Indians boarded the tea ships which were lying 
at anchor in the Boston Harbor and dumped 
three hundred and forty chests of tea into the bay. 
Such was the famous ''Boston Tea Party." 

In retahation, Parliament passed the Boston 
Port Bill, March 31st, 1774. May 20th the charter 
of Massachusetts was annuled and the people 
were declared rebels. In September, 1774, the 
Second Colonial Congress assembled in Phila- 
delphia, eleven Colonies being represented. One 
address was prepared and sent to the King, 
another to the Enghsh nation, and another to 
the people of Canada. Further action was the 
adoption of a resolution to suspend all commer- 
cial intercourse with Great Britain. Parliament 
retaliated by ordering General Gage to reduce 
the Colonists by force, a fleet of ten thousand 



18 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

soldiers being sent to aid him in the work of 
subjugation. 

Thus ended all hope for a peaceful adjust- 
ment, and the war of American Independence 
was on. With the Colonists it was a fight for 
liberty or death. 

On the night of April 18th, 1775, Gage 
despatched eight hundred men to destroy the 
American stores which had been removed from 
Boston to Concord, but his plans were frust- 
rated by ^^The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere.'' 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 19 

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS 

1775 

April 19 : — 

The first actual fighting of the Revolution- 
ary War took place at Lexington and Concord, 
Massachusetts, April 19, 1775. A small body 
of Massachusetts Militiamen, under Major Butt- 
rick, were victorious over 1700 British regulars, 
commanded by Colonel Smith and Lord Percy. 
Losses: British, 65 killed, 180 wounded, 28 pris- 
oners; American, 49 killed, 34 wounded, 5 missing. 

May 10:— 

Colonels Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, 
leading 83 New Hampshire and Connecticut vol- 
unteers, surprised and captured 49 British soldiers 
at Ticonderoga, New York. No losses. 

Upon demanding the surrender of Ticon- 
deroga, the British commander of the Fort in- 
quired: ''By whose authority do you act?" ''In 
the name of the Great Jehovah and the Con- 
tinental Congress!" replied Allen, with a flourish 
of his sword. 



20 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

May 10:— 

In a like manner to the capture of Ticon- 
deroga, Colonel Seth Warner took 11 British 
soldiers as prisoners at Crown Point, New York. 
None were killed nor wounded on either side. 

May 10:— 

The Third Colonial Congress met at Phila- 
delphia. It was an assembly composed of fifty- 
six immortal heroes, representing the thirteen 
American Colonies. John Hancock was Presi- 
dent of the Congress. John Adams nominated 
George Washington for Commander-in-Chief of 
the Army, which nomination was confirmed by 
the Congress on the 15th of June. 

May 25:— 

British Generals Howe, Clinton and Burgoyne 
joined General Gage at Boston and the siege of 
that city began. The British army now numbered 
more than ten thousand men. 

June 17: — 

The Battle of Bunker (Breeds) Hill, Massa- 
chusetts, was fought between 1500 Americans, 
under Colonel Prescott and Generals Putnam, 
Warren and Pomeroy, and 3000 British, com- 
manded by Generals Howe, Clinton and Pigott. 



THE AMEBIC AN REVOLUTION 21 

The Americans were overpowered only after 
their ammunition was exhausted. Losses: Am- 
erican, 115 killed, including General Warren, 
337 wounded and missing; British, 226 killed, 
828 wounded and missing. 

October 18:— 

The British fleet, commanded by Captain 
West, attacked the City of Falmouth (now Port- 
land) Maine, burning 139 houses and 278 stores 
and other buildings. 

December 9: — 

At Great Bridge, Elizabeth River, near 
Norfolk, Virginia, Colonel Woodford, leading 
300 Americans defeated Lord Dunmore, com- 
manding British troops. Losses: British, 100; 
Americans, none. 

December 31: — 

Generals Montgomery and Arnold, leading 
1,000 Americans, made an attack on Quebec, 
Canada, one of the strongest fortified cities in 
the world. The Americans were repulsed and 
General Montgomery was killed. 1,500 British 
soldiers, under General Carleton, defended the 
fort. Losses: American, 100 killed and wounded, 
300 prisoners; British, unknown. 



22 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

1776 

January 1: — 

Norfolk, Virginia, was burned by Lord Dun- 
more, the former Royal Governor. 

February 27 : — 

2,000 Royalists, under Colonel McLeod, 
threw down their arms and fled from 1,000 North 
Carolina provincials, led by Colonels Caswell 
and Livingston, at Moores Creek Bridge, North 
Carolina. 

March 17:— 

After a siege of nearly eleven months, the 
British, numbering 7,000, commanded by Gen- 
eral Howe, evacuated Boston, went on board 
the fleet and sailed away. 

March 20:— 

General Washington, at the head of the 
triumphant American Army, made a formal 
entry of the city of Boston, evacuated by the 
British three days before. 

June 7: — 

Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, offered a 
resolution in Congress declaring: ^'That The 
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, 
free and independent States. '^ 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 23 

June 11: — 

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin 
Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livings- 
ton were appointed as a committee by Congress 
to prepare a formal Declaration of Independence. 

June 28: — 

Fort Moultrie, on Sullivan's Island, South 
Carolina, defended by 400 Americans under 
Colonel Moultrie, was attacked by the British 
under Sir Peter Parker. On the fort were mounted 
26 cannon. The British squadron consisted of 
two 50-gun ships, four frigates of 28 guns, and 
four smaller vessels, mounting in all 270 guns. 
After a bombardment lasting ten hours the 
British were compelled to retire. Losses: British, 
200 killed and wounded; American, 10 killed and 
22 wounded. 

July 1: — 

The report of the committee, of which 
Thomas Jefferson was chairman, was laid before 
Congress. 

July 2: — 

Richard Henry Lee's resolution, declaring: 
'^That The United Colonies are, and of right 
ought to be, free and independent States," was 
adopted by Congress. 



24 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

July 4: — 

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon the Declaration 
of Independence was adopted by a unanimous 
vote of Congress, and the old bell on Indepen- 
dence Hall rang out to the Nation and the world 
the notes of American freedom. General Wash- 
ington caused the Declaration to be read on the 9th 
of July at the head of each brigade of the army. 
August 27: — 

The battle of Long Island, New York, was 
fought between eight thousand Americans, Com- 
manded by Generals Washington, Putnam, Sulli- 
van and Stirling, and ten thousand British and 
* Hessians, under command of Generals Howe, 
Clinton, Percy, Cornwallis, Grant and De Heister. 
The British were victorious. Losses: American, 
500 killed and wounded and nearly 1,000 taken 
prisoners; British and Hessians, 450 killed, wound- 
ed and missing. 
September 15: — 

The British, under General Howe, took 
possession of New York City, Washington having 
retired to the Heights of Harlem. 

* Note — Seventeen thousand Hessians were hired by George 
III from Frederick the Great, at so much per head, to fight 
against America. 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 25 

September 16: — 

Battle of Harlem Heights, New York, fought 
between a small body of Americans commanded 
by Colonel Knowlton and Major Leitch (both 
of whom were killed), and two battalions of 
British and three companies of Hessians. Am- 
ericans victorious. Losses: American, 50 killed 
wounded and missing; British and Hessians, 117 
killed, wounded and missing. 

October 2S:— 

The battle of White Plains (Chatterton Hill), 
New York, was fought between Americans under 
Washington, and British and Hessians under 
Howe. Washington maintained his position. 
Howe returned to New York. Losses: American, 
254; British and Hessians 367. 

November 16: — 

Fort Washington, New York, defended by 
3,000 Americans under Colonel Magaw, was 
captured, after severe fighting, by the British 
under General Matthews and Lords Cornwallis 
and Percy. Losses: American, 53 killed, 96 
wounded, and 2818 made prisoners; British, 800 
killed and wounded. 



26 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

November 18: — 

Fort Lee, New Jersey, was evacuated by the 
Americans. General Washington made a suc- 
cessful retreat to Princeton, and finally to Tren- 
ton, New Jersey. His army was now reduced 
to 3,000 men. 

November 20 : — 

Fort Cumberland, at the head of the Bay of 
Fundy, Nova Scotia, defended by a British gar- 
rison under Colonel Gorham, was attacked by a 
company of American volunteers under Captain 
Jonathan Eddy. The assailants were repulsed. 

December 8: — 

Washington crossed the Delaware at Trenton. 
Cornwallis, having no- boats, was compelled to 
wait until the river should freeze over. Fearing 
the march of the British army into Philadelphia, 
Congress adjourned to Baltimore. 

December 26 : — 

(During Christmas night Washington, with 
2,400 men, crossed the Delaware, and at day- 
break attacked the enemy at Trenton. Colonel 
Rahl was mortally wounded and his army of 1,000 
Hessians threw down their arms and surrendered. 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 27 

The battle of Trenton aroused the nation from 
despondency. 1,400 soldiers re-enlisted. Robert 
Morris, the great financier of the Revolution, 
came forward with his fortune to the support of his 
country^s fight for independence. 

1777 

January 3: — 

Battle of Princeton, New Jersey, fought 
between 4,000 Americans under General Wash- 
ington, and two regiments of infantry command- 
ed by Colonel Mawhood. Americans victorious. 
Losses: American, 100 killed and wounded; 
British, 130 killed and wounded, 300 prisoners. 

April 25: — 

Danbury, Connecticut, burned by 2,000 
British under General Tyron. Battle of Ridge- 
field followed. Americans, 800 strong, led by 
Generals Arnold and Wooster, the latter being 
killed. Americans defeated. Losses: American, 
100 killed, wounded and missing; British, 170 
killed, wounded and missing. 

April: — 

During this month Gilbert Motier, the 
young French Marquis of La Fayette, accom- 



1 
28 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

panied by the brave Baron De Kalb, with a 
company of followers, reached South Carolina. 
La Fayette fitted out the expedition at his own 
expense. He entered the American Army as 
a volunteer and was commissioned as a major 
general in July, 1777, by a special act of Congress. 
It is of interest to note that during 1777 the 
French supplied the Colonies with twenty thous- 
and muskets and a thousand barrels of powder. 
And further, many French patriots came over to 
help America throw off the yoke of British op- 
pression. 

May 23:— 

One hundred and seventy Americans under 
Colonel Meigs, captured the British provisions 
depot at Sag Harbor, New York. Losses : British, 
6 killed, 90 prisoners; Americans, none. 

June 26: — 

At Boundbrook, New Jersey, General Corn- 
wallis, leading 2,000 British, attacked 500 Am- 
ericans, under General Lincoln. The latter ef- 
fected a successful retreat, losing sixty men. 

July 5: — 

Ten thousand British, Hessians, Canadians 
and Indians, commanded by General Burgoyne, 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 29 

attacked and captured Ticonderoga, New York, 
defended by 3,000 Americans under General 
St. Clair. 

July 7:— 

At Hubbardton, Vermont, an engagement 
took place between 1,000 Americans under Colonel 
Warner, and 850 British under General Frazer, 
re-enforced by a division of Hessians under Major 
Reidesel. Americans, though defeated, fought 
so obstinately as to check the pursuit of the 
enemy. 

July 30:— 

General Burgoyne, leading the British, cap- 
tured Fort Edward, defended by General Schuyler 
in command of 4,500 Americans, who retreated 
down the Hudson. 

August 6: — 

Battle of Oriskafiy, New York, fought be- 
tween a body of Americans, under General Her- 
kimer, and a party of British and Indians in am- 
buscade. Americans defeated, 400 of their num- 
ber, including General Herkimer, being killed. 

August 16: — 

Colonel John Stark, leading 1,600 Massa- 
chusetts and New Hampshire militiamen, en- 



30 AN OUTLINE HISTOEY 

gaged the British, under Colonel Baum, in a 
fierce battle at Bennington, Vermont. The Brit- 
ish were utterly routed, losing more than 800 men. 
American loss, 100 killed and wounded. 

September 8: — 

The American headquarters, northern army, 
were advanced to Stillwater, General Gates hav- 
ing succeeded General Schuyler in command. 
At Bemis Heights, a short distance north of 
Stillwater, a camp was laid out and fortified 
under the direction of Thaddeus Kosciusko, the 
noted Polish engineer and patriot. 

September 11: — 

Battle of Brandy wine, Delaware, fought be- 
tween the Americans under Washington and the 
British under Burgoyne, the latter being vic- 
torious. Losses : American, 300 killed, 600 wound- 
ed, 400 prisoners; British, 100 killed, 400 wounded. 
La Fayette was wounded. 

September 14: — 

Burgoyne crossed the Hudson and took 
post at Saratoga. 

September 19: — 

Leading the Americans, General Arnold at- 
tacked the British under Burgoyne at Freeman's 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 31 

Farm, near Bemis Heights. This is also known 
as the first battle of Stillwater. 5,000 Americans 
and 7,000 British were engaged. Both sides 
claimed the victory. Losses : American, 319 killed, 
wounded and missing; British, 500 killed, wounded 
and missing. 

September 20: — 

At PaoH, Pennsylvania, 1,500 Americans, 
under General Wayne, were surprised at mid- 
night by a British division, under Lord Grey. 
300 Americans were massacred without quarter, 
and the rest escaped. The British loss was 8 
killed and wounded. 

September 26: — 

Howe took possession of Philadelphia. The 
main body of the British army encamped at Ger- 
mantown. Congress adjourned, first to Lan- 
caster, and later to York, where the sessions were 
held until the following summer. The British 
held Philadelphia until June 18, 1778. 

October 4: — 

The battle of German town, Pennsylvania, was 
fought between 11,000 Americans under General 
Washington and 20,000 British under General 
Howe. British victorious. Losses : American, 200 



32 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

killed, 600 wounded, 400 prisoners; British, 100 
killed, 500 wounded. 

October 6: — 

Forts Clinton and Montgomery, New York, 
on the Hudson River, were attacked and taken 
by the British. Losses: American, 250 killed 
and wounded; British, 200 killed and wounded. 

During the autumn of 1777 a French ship 
came to America laden with $200,000 worth of 
arms, ammunition and specie. On this ship 
came Baron Von Steuben, the Prussian expert 
military tactician, and who was commissioned 
as Inspector General of the army, by Congress. 

October 7: — 

Second battle of Stillwater fought between 
10,722 Americans under Arnold, and 5,852 British 
and Hessians under Burgoyne. The Americans 
were completely victorious, the enemy flying from 
the field. Burgoyne retreated to Saratoga, which 
place he reached October 9. 

October 17:— 

Burgoyne surrendered to Generals Gates 
and Lincoln, at Saratoga. By the terms of cap- 
itulation 5,791 British soldiers became prisoners 
of war. Among the captives were six members 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 33 

of the British Parliament. Forty-two pieces of 
brass artillery, 5,000 muskets and vast quanti- 
ties of stores were included in the fruits of the vic- 
tory. 

October 22:— 

Three battalions of British and Hessians 
under Colonel Donop, attacked Fort Mercer 
(Red Bank), New Jersey, defended by 400 Am- 
ericans under Colonel Greene. The British were 
repulsed, losing 400 killed and wounded. Ameri- 
can loss, 32 killed and wounded. 

November 16: — 

After a siege which was begun October 23rd, 
Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, in the Delaware 
River, was abandoned by the Americans, who 
escaped to Fort Mercer, which was also aban- 
doned to the British, November 20. 

December 11: — 

Washington went into winter quarters with 
the American Army at Valley Forge, sixteen miles 
from Philadelphia, and during the succeeding 
severe months, the soldiers suffered untold hard- 
ships. They were lacking in both food and' 
raiment, but their true patriotic spirit never 
deserted them. These were the darkest days of 



34 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

Washington's life. Dark clouds hovered over 
the patriot cause at the close of 1777. 

1778 

February 6 : — 

France acknowledged the independence of 
the United States and signed a treaty with the 
new Nation, which was so ably represented at 
the French Court by Benjamin Franklin. This 
treaty was ratified by Congress in May. 

June 28: — 

The battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, was 
fought, Washington commanding the Americans 
and Cornwallis the British. Both sides claimed 
the victory, but Washington was left in the better 
position at nightfall, and the enemy withdrew 
and escaped under cover of darkness. Losses: 
American, 142 killed, 160 wounded; British, 305 
killed, 44 wounded. 

July 5: — 

Colonel John Butler, leading 1,600 British, 
Canadians and Indians, massacred men, women 
and children at Wyoming, Pennsylvania. In 
November there was a similar massacre in Cherry 
Valley, New York, the invaders being led by 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 35 

Joseph Brant, Chief of the Mohawks, and Walter 
Butler, son of John Butler. 

August 29: — 

At Quaker Hill, Rhode Island, the Americans 
under General Sullivan defeated the British under 
Sir Robert Pigott. Losses: American, 30 killed, 
137 wounded, 44 missing; British, 260 killed, 
wounded and missing. 

September 28: — 

Out of 104 Americans, 67 were mercilessly- 
massacred by the British under Colonel Baylor, 
at Tappan, New York. 

December 29: — 

A battle was fought at Savannah, Georgia, 
between 700 Americans under General Robert 
Howe, and 2,000 British under Colonel Camp- 
bell. British victorious. Losses: American, 100 
killed, 453 prisoners; British, 7 killed, 19 wounded. 

1779 

January 29: — 

Augusta, Georgia, was taken by the British. 

February 2: — 

200 Americans commanded by General Moul- 
trie, defeated 200 British under Major Gardiner 
at Port Royal Island, Georgia. 



36 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

February 14: — 

Colonel Pickens, at the head of the Americans, 
overtook and defeated the British under Colonel 
Boyd, the Tory leader, at Cherokee Ford, or 
Kettle Creek, South Carolina. Boyd and 70 
of his men were killed and 75 others taken prisoners. 

March 3: — 

A battle was fought between the Americans 
under General Ashe, and the British under Gen- 
eral Provost, at Briar Creek, Georgia. British 
victorious. Losses: American, 150 killed, 162 
prisoners; British, 16 killed and wounded. 

April 19: — 

Battle with the Indians at Onondagas, New 
York. Americans, under Colonel Van Schaick, vic- 
torious. Losses: Indians, 12 killed, 34 prisoners. 

June 20: — 

Americans, under General Lincoln were de- 
feated by the British under Colonel Maitland at 
Stono Ferry, South Carolina. Losses: American, 
179 killed and wounded; British, unknown. 

July 16:— 

Stony Point, New York, defended by a gar- 
rison of 600 British under Colonel Johnson was 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 37 

successfully assailed at midnight by the Ameri- 
cans under General Wayne. Losses: British, 63 
killed, 543 prisoners; American, 98 killed and 
wounded. 

August 19: — 

300 Americans under Major Lee surprised 
and defeated the British Post, commanded by 
Major Southerland, at Paulus Hook, New York. 
Losses: British, 30 killed, 159 prisoners; American, 
2 killed, 3 wounded. 

August 29 : — 

Americans under General Sullivan defeated 
British and Indians under Johnson, Butler and 
Brant at Newtown, or Chemung (now Elmira), 
New York. 

September 23: — 

Paul Jones, cruising off the coast of Scotland, 
with a fleet of American and French vessels, fell 
in with a British squadron. The Serapis, a 
British frigate of 44 guns, engaged the Poor Richard 
within musket-shot. The Serapis struck her 
colors and as the Poor Richard went down Jones 
transfered his men to the conquered ship. Of 
the 375 men on board the American-French fleet, 
300 were either killed or wounded. 



38 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

October 9: — 

Savannah, Georgia, held by the British under 
General Provost, was assaulted by the Americans 
and French under General Lincoln and Count 
D'Estaing. The allies were repulsed. Losses: 
American-French, 878 killed and wounded; Brit- 
ish, unknown. 

1780 

May 12:— 

Charleston, South Carolina, defended by 
5,000 Americans under General Lincoln, was sur- 
rendered to the British under Sir Henry Clinton, 
after a siege of a month. Losses: American, 89 
killed, 140 wounded, 4,800 prisoners; British, 76 
killed, 142 wounded. Charleston was evacuated 
by the British, December 14, 1782. 

May 29:— 

At Waxhaws, South Carolina, Colonel Tarle- 
ton, leading the British, attacked and defeated 
400 Americans under Colonel Buford. Losses: 
American, 113 killed, 203 wounded and made 
prisoners; British, 12 killed, 5 wounded. 

June 23 : — 

In an engagement at Springfield, New Jersey, 
the Americans under General Greene were de- 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 39 

feated by the British under General Kuyphausen. 
Losses : American, 80 killed and wounded ; British, 
unknown. 

July 12:— 

Leading 133 intrepid Americans, Colonel 
Thomas Sumter defeated the British at William- 
son's Plantation, South Carolina. 

JulySO:— 

Colonel Sumter defeated the British at Rocky 
Mount, South Carolina. 

August 6: — 

Colonel Sumter and his troops were again 
victorious, this time at Hanging Rock, South 
Carolina. The British regiment was almost en- 
tirely destroyed, being reduced from 278 to 9 
men. Andrew Jackson, then 13 years of age, 
began his career as a soldier in this battle. 

August 16: — 

At Camden (Sanders Creek), South Carolina, 
the Americans, under General Gates, were de- 
feated by the British, under Lord Cornwallis. 
Losses: American, 1,500 killed, wounded and 
prisoners ; British, 324 killed and wounded. Baron 
De Kalb was mortally wounded. 



40 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

August 18: — 

650 Americans under Colonel Sumter were 
defeated by the British under Colonel Tarleton 
at Catawba Ford, South CaroHna. 

August 18: — 

The Americans under Colonel Williams de- 
feated 500 British at Musgroves Mills, South 
Carolina, the British loss being 120 killed and 
wounded. 

September 21 : — 

Sir Henry Clinton sent Major John Andre 
to arrange with Benedict Arnold for the surrender 
of the fortress of West Point on the Hudson. All 
plans were agreed upon, but Andre was captured 
at Tarrytown on his return by three patriots, 
Williams, Paulding and Van Wert. Papers dis- 
closing the plot were found in his shoes. He was 
condemned as a spy and hanged on October 2. 
Arnold, the traitor, made good his escape and 
entered the British army. 

October 7: — 

At Kings Mountain, South Carolina, 1,200 
British under Colonel Ferguson met a disastrous 
defeat at the hands of 1,000 Americans under 
Colonel Campbell. Losses: British, 150 killed, 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 41 

including Ferguson, 156 wounded, 810 prisoners; 
American, 24 killed and wounded. 

November 12: — 

Americans under General Sumter defeated 
the British under Major Wemyss at Broad River, 
South Carolina. 

November 20: — 

At Blackstock's Ford on the Tiger River, 
South Carolina, the Americans under General 
Sumter defeated 1,500 British under Colonel 
Tarleton. Losses : American, 1 1 killed and wound- 
ed; British, 95 killed and wounded. 

1781 

January 17: — 

The battle of Cowpens, South Carolina, was 
fought between 1,100 British, under Colonel 
Tarleton, and the Americans under General Mor- 
gan, who was ably assisted by a body of cavalry 
commanded by Colonel William Washington. 
Americans victorious. Losses: British, 230 killed 
and wounded, 600 prisoners; American, 12 killed 
and 60 wounded. 

February 1: — 

Lord CornwalHs, leading the British, defeated 
300 Americans under Colonel Davidson, at Mc- 
Cowan's Ford, North Carolina. 



42 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

March 15: — 

At Guilford Court House, North Carolina, 
an indecisive battle was fought between 4,300 
Americans under General Greene, and 2,400 
British, under Lord CornwalHs. Losses: Am- 
erican, 450 killed and wounded; British 546 killed 
and wounded. 

April 25: — 

At Camden, or Hobkirk's Hill, South Caro- 
lina, 900 British under Lord Rawdon, defeated 
1,200 Americans under General Greene, but 50 
British were taken prisoners. 

April 25: — 

After fierce fighting, the British, under Gen- 
erals Arnold and Phillips, defeated the Americans 
commanded by Baron Von Steuben, at Peters- 
burg, Virginia. 

May 10:— 

Lord Rawdon was compelled to evacuate 
Camden, so hard pressed was he by General 
Greene. Following the evacuation of Camden, 
several British posts fell in rapid succession. On 
May 11th, the garrison of Orangeburgh, con- 
sisting of 70 militia and 12 regulars, yielded to 
Sumter, and on the following day 75 British, de- 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 43 

fending Fort Motte, on the Congaree River, 
were compelled to capitulate. Georgetown, a 
post on the Black River, was reduced by a detach- 
ment of Marion's troops. 

May 15: — 

Fort Granby, a post on Friday's Ferry, gar- 
risoned by 350 British, surrendered to General 
Lee. 

May 22:— 

500 British, under Colonel Cruger, defeated 
the Americans under General Greene, at Ninety- 
Six, South Carolina. Losses: American, 150 killed 
and wounded; British, unknown. 

June 5 : — 

At Augusta, South Carohna, (Fort Corn- 
wallis), after a siege of two weeks, 300 British 
under Colonel Brown surrendered by capitulation 
to the Americans under Pickens and Lee. 

September 6 : — 

Fort Griswold, Connecticut, defended by 
160 Americans under Colonel Ledyard, was at- 
tacked and taken by the British under Colonel 
Eyre. Losses : American, 120 killed and wounded, 
40 prisoners; British, 48 killed, 145 wounded. 



44 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

September 8: — 

At Eutaw Springs, South Carolina, the Am- 
ericans under General Greene won a most decisive 
victory over the British under Colonel Stuart. 
Losses: American, 114 killed, 300 wounded, 40 
missing; British, 185 killed, 270 wounded, 538 
prisoners. 

October 19:— 

Following a siege of nearly a month. Lord 
Cornwallis surrendered the British army at York- 
town, Virginia, to the allied American and French 
armies, under General Washington and Count de 
Rochambeau. Losses: Americans and French, 
300 killed and wounded; British, 550 killed and 
wounded, 7247 prisoners. 

October 2Z:— 

News of the surrender of Cornwallis at York- 
town was borne to the Continental Congress, in 
session at Philadelphia, and there was great re- 
joicing throughout the entire land. 

1782 

March 2^ \— 

Lord North and the entire British ministry 
resigned, and a new ministry was formed, favor- 
able to peace. The command of the British forces 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 45 

in America was transferred to Sir Guy Carleton, 
a man friendly to the interests of the Colonies. 

August: — 

At James Island, South Carolina, a party of 
British was attacked and defeated by the Ameri- 
cans, under Captain Wilmot. This was the last 
bloodshed of the American Revolution. 

November 30 : — 

Preliminary articles of peace were signed 
at Paris, the American representatives to the 
compact being Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, 
John Adams, Henry Laurens and Richard Oswald. 
The terms of this treaty were ratified by Congress 
the following April. 

1783 

September 3: — 

A final treaty of peace was effected between 
all the nations that had been participants in the 
War for American Independence. These were 
the terms of this treaty: 

1. A complete recognition of the independence 
of the United States. 

2. The recession of Florida by Great Britain 
to Spain. 



46 AN OUTLINE HISTORY 

3. The surrender to the United States of 
all the remaining territory east of the Mississippi 
River. 

4. The free navigation of the Mississippi and 
the Great Lakes by American vessels. 

5. The retention by Great Britain of Canada 
and Nova Scotia, with the exclusive control of 
the St. Lawrence River. 

October 18:— 

Congress issued a proclamation for disband- 
ing the army. 

November 25: — 

Sir Guy Carleton evacuated New York City; 
the British army was embarked and sailed away. 
American independence was achieved after a 
struggle of eight years of unrelenting war. 

December 4 : — 

General Washington bade his officers final 
adieu at France^s Tavern, New York. He said: 
^'With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now 
take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that 
your latter days may be as prosperous and happy 
as your former ones have been glorious and hon- 
orable.' ' 



THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 47 

December 23 : — 

General Washington surrendered his com- 
mission and delivered his ^^ Farewell Address '^ 
to Congress, in session at Annapolis. To this 
address General Mifflin, President of Congress, 
made appropriate reply. 

December 24: — 

Washington reached Mount Vernon. 

1787 

May 25:— 

George Washington was elected President 
of the Constitutional Convention. 

1789 

April 30:— 

George Washington was inaugurated as First 
President of the United States. 



COMPENDIUM 

« 

OF 

PARLIAMENTARY 

LAW 



CLASSIFICATION OF MOTIONS 

In Parliamentary usuage, motions are classified 
generally under the following heads : 

Principal or Main Question. 
A motion to bring before an assembly for its 
consideration any particular subject is called the 
Principal or Main question or Motion. It yields to 
all privileged, subsidiary and incidental questions, 
taking precedence of nothing, and cannot be made 
when any other question is being considered. 

Subsidiary Motions 

Subsidiary or Secondary Motions yield to privil- 
eged and incidental questions, and in the order of their 
precedence are as follows: 

Lie on the table. 

The previous question. 

Postpone to a certain day. 

Commit. 

Amend. 

Postpone indefinitely. 

None of these motions can supersede one of a 
higher order, but any one of them can be made when 
one of a lower order is pending. They may be applied 
to each other in the following cases. 

The previous question may be applied to a motion 
to postpone, without the principal motion being 



52 COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 

affected, and when specified may be applied to a pend- 
ing amendment. A motion to postpone to a certain 
day, also one to commit, may be amended, and one 
to amend the minutes may be laid on the table with- 
out the minutes being carried with it. 

Incidental Questions. 

Incidental Questions arise from other questions. 
They take precedence of and must be decided before 
the questions giving rise to them. They yield to 
privileged questions, are not subject to amendment, and 
with the exception of an appeal are not debatable; 
an appeal is or is not debatable, according to cir- 
cumstances. 

Incidental questions are as follows : 

Appeal (or questions of order). 

Objection to the consideration of a question. 

The reading of papers. 

Leave to withdraw a motion. 

Suspension of the rules. 

Privileged Questions. 

Privileged Questions, because of their importance, 
take precedence of all other questions, and except 
as they relate to the rights of the assembly or its 
members are undebatable. 

In the order of their precedence they are as 
follows: 

To fix the time for adjournment. 

To adjourn. 



COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 53 

Relating to the rights of the assembly or its 
members. 

Call for the orders of the day. 

Motions Not Amendable. 

The following motions are not subject to amend- 
ment: 

To adjourn (when unqualified). 

For the Orders of the Day. 

All incidental questions. 

To he on the table. 

For the previous question. 

An amendment of an amendment. 

To postpone indefinitely. 

To reconsider. 

More Than Majority Vote. 

Motions requiring a two-thirds vote (all others 
requiring a majority) are as follows: 

To amend the rules (also requires previous notice). 

To suspend the rules. 

To make a special order. 

To take up a question out of its proper order. 

An objection to the consideration of a question. 
(The negative vote must be two-thirds to dismiss the 
question for that particular session). 

The previous question. 

To close or limit debate. 



54 compendium of parliamentary law 

Motions as to Object. 
According to object, motions are classified as 
follows : 

1. To modify or amend, 
(a) Amend. 

(h) Commit. 

2. To defer action. 

(a) Postpone to a certain time. 
(6) Lie on the table. 

3. To suppress debate, 
(a) Previous question. 

(6) An order limiting or closing debate. 

4. To suppress the question. 

(a) Objection to its consideration. 

(b) Postpone indefinitely. 

(c) Lie on the table. 

5. To consider a question a second time, 
(a) Reconsider. 

6. Order on Rules. 

(a) Orders of the day. 
(6) Special orders. 

(c) Suspension of the rules. 

(d) Questions of order. 

(e) Appeal. 

7. Miscellaneous. 

(a) Reading of papers. 
(h) Withdrawal of motion, 
(c) Questions of privilege. 



COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 55 



8. To close a meeting. 

(a) Fix the time to which to adjourn. 
(6) Adjourn. 

Constitution and By-laws. 

A society may adopt either a constitution or by- 
laws, or both. In case of the adoption of both, the 
constitution usually contains the five following articles, 
each of which may be subdivided into sections: 

1. Name and object of the society. 

2. Qualification of members. 

3. Officers, their election and duties. 

4. Meetings— including only what is essential, 
leaving details to by-laws. 

5. Method of amending the constitution. As the 
constitution contains nothing except what is funda- 
mental, it should be made very difficult of amendment. 

All other standing rules of a society are contained 
in its by-laws, or in rules of order, as the case may be, 
and relate to the conduct of business in the meetings. 
In addition, resolutions of a permanent nature may be 
adopted, which are binding until rescinded or modified. 

Order of Business. 

A permanently organized society, according to 
custom, adopts an ''order of business" for regular 



56 COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 

meetings. In the absence of an adopted rule, follow- 
ing is the customary order : 

1. Reading and approval of the minutes of the 
previous meeting. 

2. Reports of officers and standing committees. 

3. Reports of special committees. 

4. Unfinished business. 

5. New business. 

6. Adjournment. 

The election and installation of oflScers comes 
under the head of "new business." 

Established Laws and Rules. 

A member of a society or meeting cannot make a 
motion or speak on any question until recognized by 
the presiding officer. 

No member is entitled to speak more than once 
on a given subject, provided the floor is claimed by 
one who has not spoken. 

Two members can make an appeal from the 
decision of the presiding officer. 

The presiding officer may require all principal 
motions, amendments and instructions to committees, 
as well as committee reports, to be made in writing. 

While speaking, a member cannot be interrupted 
by calls for the question, or by a motion to adjourn, or 
for any purpose, except to have entered on the minutes 
a motion to reconsider; by a call to order; by an objec- 
tion to the consideration of the question; by a call 



COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 57 

for the orders of the day, or by a question of privilege, 
requiring immediate action. 

Once a question has been stated by the presiding 
officer, it is in possession of the assembly for debate. 
It cannot be withdrawn or modified by the mover, 
in case of objection, except upon leave of the assembly, 
or by moving an amendment. 

When a member calls for the previous question, 
and the call is duly seconded, the presiding officer 
at once must put the question: ** Shall the main ques- 
tion be now put?" If it carries, a vote must be taken 
immediately. In case of failure, the discussion is 
proceeded with as though the call had not been made. 

The previous question can be moved on a pending 
amendment, and if adopted, the main question is 
again open to debate and amendments. 

After a principal question or amendment has been 
acted upon, it cannot be taken up again at the same 
session, except upon a motion to reconsider. 

A motion to adjourn having failed, may be re- 
newed after progress in debate, or the transaction of 
any business. 

A motion to reconsider must be made by a member 
who voted with the prevailing side. Such motion 
cannot be amended. It is debatable or not, just as 
the question to be reconsidered is debatable or un- 
debatable. No question can be reconsidered twice. 
Reconsideration requires only a majority vote. 



58 COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 

After a motion has been made and seconded it is 
not subject to debate until stated by the presiding 
officer. 

Until the negative of a question has- been put, it 
is in order for a member to speak, make motions for 
amendment or otherwise, in the same manner as 
though the voting had not been begun. 

In case of a tie vote the motion fails, unless the 
vote of the presiding officer is given to the affirmative. 
When the presiding officer's vote will make a tie, it 
can be so cast, thus defeating the measure. 

Objection may be made to the consideration of any 
principal motion only when first introduced, and 
before the commencement of debate. 

A unanimous vote is required to expunge from the 
minutes. 

The proper form for submitting a motion is: '*I 
move that," etc. 

Recognition by the presiding officer is necessary 
before a member can make a motion. However, 
such recognition is not necessary for the one who 
seconds the motion. 

A second is not necessary to a call for the order of 
the day, a question of order (though not an appeal), 
or an objection to the consideration of the question. 

The division of a question is in reality an amend- 
ment, and is subject to the same rules. 



COMPENDIUM OF PAELIAMENTARY LAW 59 

When a vote is reconsidered the motion stands just 
as it did before the vote was taken. 

Votes on the following questions cannot be re- 
considered: To adjourn, to suspend the rules, to take 
from the table, an affirmative vote to lay on the table, 
a vote by ballot, and elections. 

At any time before the decision of a vote is an- 
nounced by the presiding officer, it is in order for a 
member to change his or her vote, provided that the 
same has not been cast by ballot. 

If a vote is by ballot, the presiding officer may 
vote with the other members. When the yeas and nays 
are called, the chair votes last, so as not to influence 
others in voting. 

There is no necessity in voting to approve the 
minutes. After their reading, the Chair will say: 
"Are there any corrections?" If there are any, they 
will be made at once. Or the Chair will say: "If 
there are no objections to the minutes they stand 
approved." 

Proposed amendments to the minutes must be 
voted on. 

It is too late to be excused from voting once the 
roll call has been begun. 

By-laws and rules of order of a society may be 
suspended, but the constitution is not subject to sus- 
pension under any circumstances. 



60 COMPENDIUM OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW 

A majority constitutes a quorum where a number 
is not specified. 

A meeting is not properly adjourned until a vote 
has been taken and the result announced by the pre- 
siding officer. 

A majority vote is necessary to adjourn. 

An amendment laid on the table carries with it all 
that it proposes to amend; but an amendment to the 
minutes being laid on the table does not carry the 
minutes with it. 



